Sherry L. Payne MSN RN CNE IBCLC

DIVERSIFYING THE RANKS OF LACTATION

PROFESSIONALS

WHY DO WE NEED MORE DIVERSIFICATION?

According to the CDC:African- American women are much less likely than any other ethnic group to breastfeed their babies, and that this lack of exposure to their mother’s milk allows for increased risk of morbidity and mortality.

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db74.htm#summary

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL

“Work to increase the number of racial and ethnic minority IBCLCs to better mirror the U.S. population. Racial and ethnic minority communities tend to be underserved by lactation consultants. More students from these communities could be trained in human lactation to increase careers in lactation consultation. Area Health Education Centers could be encouraged to establish community-based training sites in lactation services.”

SURGEON GENERAL CALL TO ACTION

NEXT STEPS:Dismantle structural systems of oppression that lock

women of color out of opportunities- each organization must examine its on own culture and policies

Continue to examine equity issues through both a personal and organizational lens- strive to see the stumbling blocks for women of color

Give practical assistance, not just lip service- women of color need mentors, and scholarships, reimbursement for continuing education, ongoing practical support that sees them all the way through the process

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2014 LACTATION SUMMIT

Average mPINC Score 75Percent of live births occurring at Baby-

Friendly Facilities 7.79Percent of breastfed infants receiving

formula before 2 days of age 19.4Number of La Leche League Leaders per

1,000 live births 0.90Number of CLCs* per 1,000 live births

3.84Number of IBCLCs* per 1,000 live births

3.48State’s child care regulation supports

onsite breastfeeding 7

US BREASTFEEDING REPORT CARD

OTHER VOICES

Breastfeeding and Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality; Celebrating Successes and Overcoming Barriers

Clinical Lactation, 2014

http://www.cl inical lactation.org/sites/default/fi les/art iclepdf/s1-CL%205-1_PTR_A1_007-008.pdf

KATHLEEN KENDALL TACKETT

Lactation Consultants Need to Diversify Yesterday

By Kimberly Seals Allers

Women’s eNewsThursday, August

2, 2012

KIMBERLY SEALS ALLERS

CYNTHIA GOOD MOJAB

Equity in Breastfeeding; Where do we go From Here?

Lessons Learned from African American Women who Breastfeed

Can’t we all Just Get Along?

Pandora’s Box is Already Open; Answering the ongoing call to dismantle institutional oppression in the field of breastfeeding

JOURNAL OF HUMAN LACTATION 2015

CURRENT RANKS

According to the IBLCE website, there are 26,660 IBCLCs in 96 countries around the world

13,848 are in the United States (roughly half)

Racial categories are not currently tracked by IBLCE

Most IBCLCs are Caucasian, registered nurses or registered dietitians, female, and tend to be older rather than younger

CURRENT RANKS OF IBCLCS

CLC stands for Certified Lactation Counselor, not Certified Lactation Consultant

CLCs are often used to bridge the gap between WPCs and IBCLCs

There is a gap between the CLC credential and the IBCLC credential that is not easily breached, especially for those not holding a healthcare related degree or any degree

WHAT ABOUT THE CLC CREDENTIAL

WIC is strongly correlated with NOT Breastfeeding

The breastfeeding promotion within WIC is largely accomplished by WIC Peer counselors, the lowest paid, lactation supporters

Some WIC offi ces ‘encourage’ PCs to become IBCLCs, others support the progression of credentials

CLCs are often used to bridge the gap between WPCs and IBCLCs

There is a gap between the CLC credential and the IBCLC credential that is not easily breached

WIC PEER COUNSELORS

WIC PARTICIPANTS

CULTURE SPECIFIC INTERVENTIONS

MissionTo increase perinatal and infant health equity in the urban coreVisionFor every family, a healthy baby;For every baby, a healthy village

UZAZI VILLAGE

BREASTFEEDING AND BABYWEARING AT UZAZI VILLAGE

Building health equity through culturally specific interventions

NPR storyhttp://kcur.org/post/kc-group-fights-breast-feeding-disparities-education-support

THE VALUE OF CULTURALLY SPECIFIC CARE

Program started in 2014

Sliding scale fees depending on hours needed and pathway

Partnership with local hospital

Candidates work in walk-in clinic alongside mentors (all volunteer LCs are also approved mentors)

LACTATION MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

1)increase the numbers of Lactation Consultants of Color serving the metropolitan area

2)improve and increase access to pathways to becoming an International Board Certifi ed Lactation Consultant

3)utilize the expertise of seasoned IBCLCs and off er them

an opportunity reproduce themselves in students of color

4)improve breastfeeding initiation and duration in previously underserved communities of color who have had historically limited access to any lactation professionals

5)decrease infant mortality and morbidity rates (as they are impacted by breastfeeding) through the promotion of breastfeeding in the urban core

PROGRAM GOALS

African-American specific

Facilitator Certification

La Leche League Peer Counselor Training

A ‘Sacred Space’

CHOCOLATE MILK CAFE

OTHER EFFORTS TO INCREASE THE RANKS OF IBCLCS OF COLOR

ROSE MASTER TRAINERS

Mother Nurture Lactation College and Lactation Cohort

Paid internships funded by Kellog Grant over 3 years

College: 1 completed, 2 enrolled currently

Cohort: 6 last year, 11 this year

BLACK MOTHERS BREASTFEEDING ASSOCIATION

Sherry L. Payne MSN RN CNE IBCLCExecutive Director of Uzazi Village

www.uzazivillage.comsherry@uzazivillage.comwww.lactspeak.com/payneBlog: Urban Village Midwife913-638-0716

CONTACT INFO